COSMOS Helps Top-Ranked NASCAR Engine Designers Stamp out Parts-Related Failures.

Sports Editors/Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

CONCORD, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 31, 2004

Robert Yates Racing uses COSMOS to keep stars like Dale Jarrett in

the winners circle by analyzing how parts will respond to punishing

race course conditions

Robert Yates Racing (RYR), one of the top engine designers in the auto racing world, has eliminated parts-related failures by using SolidWorks' COSMOSWorks(TM) design analysis software and COSMOSMotion(TM) virtual prototyping software to weed out bad part designs before the parts make it into an engine, SolidWorks Corporation announced today.

RYR engineers use the COSMOS(TM) applications, which are integrated with their SolidWorks(R) 3D mechanical design software, to subject CAD models of suppliers' parts to the same operating conditions the physical parts will face in the high-performance engines of NASCAR racers. They test high-performance engine parts, from bracketry that holds alternators and power steering pumps all the way up to valve train components like rocker arms, retainers, valve tray cover plates, and connecting rods. RYR asks vendors for their solid models of parts, runs COSMOSWorks analysis against them, then asks the vendor for specific modifications. If RYR can't find a suitable part from a supplier, engineers design their own and use COSMOS to fine-tune them until they are as light as possible to increase RPMs and horsepower, but strong enough to endure the one million engine cycles they can face in one race alone.

"By looking at the parts using design analysis, we were able to hit our target weight, strength, and safety factors on every part we tested," said RYR design engineer John Calhoun. "We've had zero parts failures in the 65 or so races we've run since we started using COSMOSWorks and COSMOSMotion. We can also do in a week an analysis that took us more than a month to do before we started using COSMOS."

RYR's racing teams include NASCAR stars like Dale Jarrett and Elliott Sadler. The RYR design team's efforts have a direct bearing on its own teams' fortunes, as well as those of teams who buy RYR's engine designs to use in their own cars. Under NASCAR's newly adopted point system, early failures knock teams out of championship contention faster than in previous years because now they only have 26 races in which to qualify, instead of the 36 they had until this year. Teams that fall behind early stand almost no chance of catching up to the leaders, which makes error-free starts even more crucial.

"Robert Yates Racing is a classic example of how optimal designs have a direct effect on a company's success," said Suchit Jain, SolidWorks vice president for analysis products. "In this case, strength or lightness alone can't carry the day - it's striking the ideal balance between them. The RYR engineers show how analysis software is the ideal tool for doing that without expensive trial-and-error."

Robert Yates Racing works with SolidWorks reseller TriMech Solutions for ongoing software training, implementation, and support.

About Robert Yates Racing

Robert Yates is one of NASCAR's top team owners and has been one of the circuit's premier engine builders for more than 30 years, providing engines for legendary drivers like Cale Yarborough, Bobby Allison, and Darrell Waltrip. He founded Robert Yates Racing, based in Mooresville and Charlotte, North Carolina, in 1988. Since then, the two-car team has posted more than 50 victories in addition to the 1999 NASCAR championship won by Dale Jarrett.

About TriMech Solutions

Founded by engineers for engineers, TriMech Solutions is a full service engineering solutions provider that specializes in helping engineers produce better quality designs, faster and more efficiently. TriMech offers the latest CAD solutions based around SolidWorks' mechanical design automation software as well as fast performance hardware for the 3D design engineer. The company provides a tightly focused customer service program that includes free SolidWorks update training seminars and 24-hour technical support. TriMech has offices in Columbia, Maryland; Lynchburg, Virginia; and Norfolk, Virginia. For more information about TriMech Solutions, call 888.TRI.MECH or visit the company's Web site at www.trimech.com.

About SolidWorks Corporation

SolidWorks Corporation, a Dassault Systemes S.A. (Nasdaq: DASTY, Euronext Paris: #13065, DSY.PA) company, develops and markets software for mechanical design, analysis, and product data management. Founded in 1993, SolidWorks' mission is to unleash the power of 3D for everyone in product development and foster a collaborative user community. In eight years of delivering product, SolidWorks has shipped more than 300,000 seats of software worldwide. SolidWorks has offices around the globe and sells, distributes, and supports its products through an international reseller network. For the latest news, information, or a live online demonstration, visit the company's Web site (www.solidworks.com) or call 1-800-693-9000 (outside of North America, call [phone]).

SolidWorks is a registered trademark of SolidWorks Corporation. COSMOS, COSMOSMotion, and COSMOSWorks are trademarks of Structural Research and Analysis Corporation. Other brand and product names are trademarks of their respective owners. Copyright (c) 2004 SolidWorks Corporation.